Crawley nets a winner for his first syndicate

Encountering good ground for the initial occasion and with a first-time tongue-strap fitted Fiesta Forever (20s into 14s on track, bigger prices availed of earlier) came good under Donagh Meyler in the Boylesports App (Mares) Maiden Hurdle at Wexford.

The betting suggested this extended two and a half miler would be open and many still held chances over the closing couple of flights.

However the Shane Crawley-trained Fiesta Forever was too strong from before the last as she beat Granny Maura by three and three parts of a length. Dollydeschamps (5s from 6s on track, and from much bigger earlier) finished eleventh.

"It's probably the first time she got the ground she wanted. She is by Presenting out of a King's Theatre. I threw the tongue tie on her to see would it work and it looks to have worked," said Crawley.

"I'm delighted and I'm delighted for the lads (Who What Why Syndicate). This is the first syndicate that I've had, and they are all from Dublin.

"We'll tip away with her, and she might go for a mares novice in England but she'll have to carry a penalty.

"I don't know what the calibre of the race was today but we won anyway!

"I've only four in for the summer so it's quiet enough."

The Stewards requested a report from Shane Crawley, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Fiesta Forever, placed first, as compared with its recent form.

The trainer reported that his charge was running on good ground over over 2m 4f for the first time and felt this, along with the first time application of a tongue tie, may have contributed to the apparent improvement in form.

Having considered the report, the Stewards noted the explanation.

(DM & EM)